Upscale Complex Coming Soon

L.M. Sandler & Sons, the Virginia Beach-based developer tagged for the Endview Plantation project in Newport News, has agreed to develop upscale condominiums and town houses on 25 acres near the Hampton Coliseum in Hampton.

Sandler & Sons recently signed a development agreement with the Hampton Redevelopment and Housing Authority to build an urban lifestyle neighborhood with 500 condominiums and town houses on 25 acres bordering Newmarket Creek.

Construction is set to begin in 2006, and city officials said they expect a conservative absorption rate of 50 to 75 units a year. The new units are a part of the city's Crossroad's project in the Coliseum Central District.

The housing includes condominium flats, two- to three-story town homes and stacked town homes -- two floors on top of two floors -- a new housing product for the region. Emphasis will be placed on the streetscape and the connectivity with the neighborhood and the surrounding area. Garages and alleyways will be located behind the homes.

"People don't want to cut grass," said Hampton Mayor Ross Kearney. "They want to be around entertainment." The Sandler project is part of an effort to make the Coliseum Central District a viable retail area with entertainment offerings for those attending the Hampton Roads Convention Center or staying at a nearby hotel. City officials region-wide have realized the success of creating a village atmosphere by locating housing within retail districts and even large office parks, like City Center at Oyster Point in Newport News.

The town house and condominium community would be the first of its kind for the Coliseum Central District, and the development is a part of the Coliseum Central District master plan, which was adopted in September 2004. It will be located on part of the land that was once occupied by Pine Chapel homes, public housing.

Chris Bridge, a spokeswoman for Sandler & Sons, said that the company is currently working on the planning and site engineering for the project.

"The project will reflect an attitude more than an age group," Bridge said.

Although no definite price points have been established for the housing, Bridge said the pricing will be reflective of the current market.

To add appeal to the development, Kearney said there would be a park with walking trails and canoeing that runs from the development to Air Power Park, located along Mercury Boulevard. The water routes would connect to the commercial district, which is drawing attention from hotel franchises, said Kathy Grook, retail development manager for the city.

"Hotel inquires are still coming in," Grook said.

A handful of hotels already operate in the Coliseum District, and a 300-unit Embassy Suites is currently under construction next to the convention center. The new interest from hotels is coming from a nearby Bass Pro shop and the expectations of the convention center.

Sandler also has options on two pieces of land around his current development. One piece of land could accommodate about 50 more units, Grook said. A second piece is under a 5-year lease by previous owners. The owners have the right to stay on the land until the lease runs out, Grook said.

L.M. Sandler & Sons is a private firmed headed by Steven and Art Sandler in Virginia Beach. Sandler is the developer for 377 homes in River Club in Suffolk. And he's expected to sign a development agreement in April with the City of Newport News to construct $500 million worth of upscale homes in Endview Plantation in northern Newport News. *